Hebert’s Shoulder Is Still Sore

The Ducks say goalie Guy Hebert has a sore left shoulder. Hebert says it’s not separated, but he hasn’t skated since he was injured Nov. 22.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere started his second consecutive game Tuesday, facing the Vancouver Canucks in a 4-1 loss at General Motors Place. Dominic Roussel started Friday’s 2-2 tie against the Calgary Flames.

“It’s getting better,” Hebert said of his shoulder. “I’m trying to be optimistic. I don’t want to get back in there and set myself back another week or whatever. It’s sore, quite sore. It hasn’t come around enough for me to get out there and do my job.”

Asked if he believed the injury would sideline him for an extended period, Hebert said, “There’s no reason to believe that at this point.”

*

Coach Craig Hartsburg had no doubts about starting Giguere after his Duck debut in a 3-2 loss Saturday to the Edmonton Oilers. Giguere faced only 18 shots, so it was a bit difficult for Hartsburg to gauge Giguere’s performance.

“It was a tough start for him,” Hartsburg said. “Three shots and two were on breakaways. He was very into the game and I liked that. He settled down after that and came up with some good saves or the game could have really gotten out of hand.”

Giguere, acquired last summer from the Calgary Flames for a draft pick, played his 32nd NHL game Tuesday.

*

Hartsburg was pleased to hear the Oilers were upset with defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski’s physical play Saturday.

“It’s usually a compliment if the other team doesn’t like the way he plays,” a smiling Hartsburg said of Vishnevski, who went into Tuesday’s game leading the NHL with 104 hits. “He just hits everything that moves.”

Hartsburg believes even better days are ahead for Vishnevski, 20.

“He’s still learning things,” Hartsburg said. “When you look back at the season, he’s been there for us every night, intensity-wise and effort-wise.”